The Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship is not a match play event.

But try telling that to Barry Lane, who has an old score to settle with Chip Beck, the man who beat him in a pivotal singles match at the 1993 Ryder Cup.

“I am definitely going to beat him this week, that’s for sure, by as many as possible,” Lane, the five-times European Tour winner, said on the eve of the 36-hole Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship that gets under way today at Turtle Hill.

Beck’s response? Game on!

“I am going to try and beat him again and it’s a good thing because that [rivalry] is what keeps us going,” Beck, the four-times PGA Tour winner, said.

Lane lost that pivotal Ryder Cup match at The Belfry after leading three up with five holes left play, but gained a lifelong friend in Beck.

“It’s amazing how friendships blossom,” Lane said. “It was a tough game and he played fantastic the last three holes to beat me one up.”

Beck added: “I was fortunate enough to win, but when somebody is humble enough, kind enough and man enough to take the blows and be your friend, that’s more than anything.

“He is a great man and has been kind enough to be honest and open to me to be a friend, that says a lot. It says more about him than me.”

The 36-hole championship, which takes place from March 11 to 12, features former Ryder Cup players, PGA and European Tour winners, European Senior Tour winners, as well as a Mackenzie Tour, PGA Tour Canada, WEB.com, PGA Tour LatinoAmerica players and a Golf Channel personality.

“This year’s Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship features a number of amazing talents,” Adam LeBrun, the tournament director said.

“The field is full of players who have the game to win this week in Bermuda.”

More than 150 players from seven different countries make up the record field. “The event has grown into a signature event for Bermuda golf,” Paul Adams, the Turtle Hill Golf Club director of golf, said.

“And, in keeping with Fairmont Southampton’s long-term tourism strategy, this event has gone from strength to strength.”

Back to defend his title is Thomas Curtis, while other past winners in the field include Bermuda’s Daniel Augustus, PGA Tour winner Nick Taylor, PGA of Canada member Ian Doig, American Jordan Mitchell, Mark Mouland of the European Senior Tour.

“After 35 years of travelling the world playing in events I certainly look forward to coming back to this beautiful island every year, it really is special,” Mouland said. “The course is special and this year I think is the best presentation I’ve seen in the last three years.”

In addition to the professionals in the championship, the field includes amateur golfers from the United States, Canada, Europe and Bermuda, vying for titles in the men’s, women’s and senior amateur divisions.